Philadelphia Phillies - TeamReport

August 31, 2012|Reuters

MLB Team Report - Philadelphia Phillies - INSIDE PITCH

There are no curfews and no equipment requirements that Charlie Manuel. In fact, the Phillies manager has only two rules that he insists that his players follow: Be on time for gameday and hustle when you get there.

But when you break either one of those rules, the Phillies manager tends to get awfully upset.

And right now, there is only one notable repeat offender to Manuel's policy: shortstop Jimmy Rollins.

That's why Rollins was sat down for the third time in the last five seasons on Thursday after failing to run out a sixth-inning popup that was eventually dropped by Mets pitcher Jonathan Niese during Philadelphia's 3-2 win at Citizens Bank Park.

"I asked him if he thought he ran to first base," Manuel said during his postgame press conference. "He gave me an answer like, 'No, not at the end,' or something like that. That's all that was said."

Rollins didn't add to that dialogue with the media, either. When approached by reporters before the team's charter flight to Atlanta, Rollins started walking out the back door near the clubhouse.

"Hell no," Rollins said. "He already told you what happened. There you go."

Phillies media relations personnel tried to get Rollins to make a statement or a comment, but he declined and left for the road trip.

This would be the fourth public dust-up between Rollins and Manuel about the manager's two rules. The first two took place in 2008 -- the first one on June 5 against the Reds for not hustling. The other was on July 24 in New York for being late to a game at Shea Stadium.

There was also an incident two weeks ago in Miami. Rollins didn't appear to bust out of the box on a ball hit deep in the hole at shortstop, instead jogging as Jose Reyes' throw beat him by three feet. Later, he peeled off instead of trying to bust up a double play in the eighth inning of a tie game.

After a conversation at the team's next stop in Milwaukee, Manuel decided not to bench Rollins.

That set the stage for Thursday.

"I just got to a place where it's a reflection on myself," Manuel said. "It's a reflection on our team. It reflects on our organization."

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MLB Team Report - Philadelphia Phillies - NOTES, QUOTES

--3B Kevin Frandsen had his third career four-hit game on Wednesday -- the first time it has happened since 2007 -- during his 4-for-5 performance in the win over the Mets. In his last 18 games at Citizens Bank Park, Frandsen is hitting .387 (24-for-62). Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has admitted that Frandsen is now the starting third baseman, supplanting Placido Polanco, who has been hobbled with a back injury. "He's been hustling," Manuel said. "He's a solid player right now. He's playing real good. Actually, very good."

--RHP Kyle Kendrick extended his winning streak to a season-best four games with his 7 2/3-inning performance during Philadelphia's 3-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday. During his current streak, Kendrick is 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA along with 22 strikeouts and just three walks.

--RHP Jonathan Papelbon got his 30th save. He has had 30 or more saves in each of his last seven seasons since coming to the major leagues in 2006.

--INF-OF Ty Wigginton has hit .424 (14-for-34) with three homers in 15 RBI in 12 games played against the Mets this season. Philadelphia still has three games remaining in New York on Sept. 17-19.

--LHP Cole Hamels, skipped from his start against the Mets on Wednesday night because of a bout of stomach flu, is tentatively scheduled to start the Phils game on Sunday afternoon in Atlanta. The club's official pitching rotation has Sunday's game as a TBA, but it would likely depend on how Hamels feels on Friday.

BY THE NUMBERS: 2-7 -- The Phillies' record against the Mets at Citizens Bank Park in 2012.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "This is an awesome opportunity that I've been given. My goal here ... obviously you want to perform well, but your main goal is, if you're in my boat, is to help the team get wins." -- 3B Kevin Frandsen on his strong bid for a position in 2013

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MLB Team Report - Philadelphia Phillies - ROSTER REPORT

MEDICAL WATCH:

--RHP Vance Worley (loose bodies in elbow) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 29 and was scheduled to undergo surgery.

--LHP Cole Hamels (stomach illness) missed his start Aug. 29 but was expected to be OK for his next turn in the rotation.

--OF Nate Schierholtz (fractured right big toe) was placed on the 15-day disabled list Aug. 13. He originally was expected to be out until early to mid-September but now expects to return when rosters expand Sept. 1.